Personal autonomy and its relationship to university selection and specialization among university students

The current study aimed to identify the autonomy of personality and its relationship to the choice of university and specialization among university students in Palestine, The researchers used the descriptive correlative approach. The study was applied to a random sample of (550) male and female students from the universities of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The results showed that the satisfaction of their need for independence came to a medium degree, and there were no statistically significant differences in the satisfaction of that need according to the variables of gender, high school course, and school year. The results indicated that the most influential and predictive factors for students’ choice of university were: the quality of educational services, lower university fees, and the geographical location of the university. Additionally, the most influential and predictive factors for students’ choice of university major were: the social status of the major, exposure to academic advising services, and the freedom to choose a major that allows self-running. The study recommended the need to provide effective counseling spcaes in secondary schools and academic counseling in universities and colleges based on well-studied and systematic scientific priciples, with the results being implemented by universities